The Nyanga Community Policing Forum (CPF) is calling for an urgent meeting with the Department of Mobility and taxi industry stakeholders to address the underlying causes of the latest suspected taxi-related shootings.

The request follows a fatal shooting in Sithandathu Avenue on Thursday, where one man was killed and another injured. CPF Secretary Dumisani Qwebe says dialogue and cooperation are needed to resolve conflicts instead of resorting to violence.

“These incidents are causing fear in the community. We should all sit down and have a meeting to address the root causes of the violence. We need to resolve these issues because innocent commuters are being caught in the crossfire.”

 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has since opened cases of murder and attempted murder for further investigation.

“Police responded to reports of a shooting and, on arrival, found the body of an as-yet unidentified adult male inside a white Toyota Quantum. The vehicle was riddled with bullets, and the deceased sustained a gunshot wound to the head. He was declared dead at the scene by medical personnel. The second victim, who was the driver of the vehicle, also sustained a head injury and was rushed to a medical facility,” SAPS said.

 

The motive is believed to be taxi-related. The case has been handed over to the Provincial Serious Violent Crime detectives’ Taxi Violence Unit for further investigation.

The latest attack comes after a commuter was injured in a separate taxi shooting on Wednesday. The taxi, which was travelling between Bellville and Philippi, came under attack by unknown gunmen.